Cristiano Ronaldo takes home Ballon d'Or

The Real Madrid player wins the award for the second time in his career after winning it for the first time in 2008 when he played for Manchester United.

The Portugal captain won the award with 1,365 points ahead of Argentinean captain Messi with 1,205 points and Frenchman Ribery with 1,127 points. The voting was done by 184 coaches, 184 national captains and 173 members of the global media.

After scoring over 65 goals for club and country combined Ronaldo was the favourite to win the award, especially after securing Portugal's place in the World Cup having scored a hat-trick in their qualifying play-off second leg match against Sweden.

"First of all, I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team," said Ronaldo.

"Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award.

"Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level, I have to thank. My wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved."

Messi, who plays for Real Madrid's rivals Barcelona had won this award for the past four years whereas Ribery, who won the treble for his club side Bayern Munichlast campaign, was in the top three for the first time in his career.

With Portugal legend Eusebio having passed away last week it seems only fitting that another Portugal great show the footballing world that Portugal can still produce the best footballer in the world.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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